Histeetotalismhad，withthelapseofyears，unconsciouslybecometheoutwardandvisiblesigntohimselfofhissecretvows；andareturntoitsopposite，howevermildlydone，signifiedwithceremoniousdistinctnesstheformalacceptanceofdelectationslongforsworn。
　　ButtheexceedingfreshnessofhisfeelingforPaula，whichbyreasonofitslongarrestwasthatofamanfarunderthirty，andwasawondertohimselfeveryinstant，wouldnotlongbrookweighinginbalances。Hewishedsuddenlytocommithimself；toremovethequestionofretreatoutoftheregionofdebate。Theclockstrucktwo:andthewishbecamedetermination。Hearose，andwrappinghimselfinhisdressing-gownwenttothenextroom，wherehetookfromashelfinthepantryseverallargebottles，whichhecarriedtothewindow，tilltheystoodonthesillagoodlyrow。Therehadbeensufficientlightintheroomforhimtodothiswithoutacandle。Nowhesoftlyopenedthesash，andtheradianceofagibbousmoonridingintheoppositeskyfloodedtheapartment。Itfellonthelabelsofthecaptain'sbottles，revealingtheircontentstobesimpleaeratedwatersfordrinking。
　　DeStancylookedoutandlistened。Thegunsthatstooddrawnupwithintheyardglistenedinthemoonlightreachingthemfromoverthebarrack-wall:therewasanoccasionalstampofhorsesinthestables；alsoameasuredtreadofsentinels——oneormoreatthegates，oneatthehospital，onebetweenthewings，twoatthemagazine，andothersfurtheroff。Recurringtohisintentionhedrewthecorksofthemineralwaters，andinvertingeachbottleonebyoneoverthewindow-sill，hearditscontentsdribbleinasmallstreamontothegravelbelow。
　　HethenopenedthehamperwhichDarehadsent。Uncorkingoneofthebottleshemurmured，'ToPaula!'anddrankaglassoftherubyliquor。
　　'Amanagainaftereighteenyears，'hesaid，shuttingthesashandreturningtohisbedroom。
　　ThefirstovertresultofhiskindledinterestinMissPowerwashissayingtohissisterthedayafterthesurreptitioussightofPaula:'Iamsorry，Charlotte，forawordortwoI
　　saidtheotherday。'
　　'Well?'
　　'IwasratherdisrespectfultoyourfriendMissPower。'
　　'Idon'tthinkso——wereyou?'
　　'Yes。Whenwewerewalkinginthewood，Imadeastupidjokeabouther……Whatdoessheknowaboutme——doyoueverspeakofmetoher?'
　　'Onlyingeneralterms。'
　　'Whatgeneralterms?'
　　'Youknowwellenough，William；ofyouridiosyncrasiesandsoon——thatyouareabitofawoman-hater，oratleastaconfirmedbachelor，andhavebutlittlerespectforyourownfamily。'
　　'Iwishyouhadnottoldherthat，'saidDeStancywithdissatisfaction。
　　'ButIthoughtyoualwayslikedwomentoknowyourprinciples!'saidCharlotte，ininjuredtones；'andwouldparticularlylikehertoknowthem，livingsonear。'
　　'Yes，yes，'repliedherbrotherhastily。'Well，Ioughttoseeher，justtoshowherthatIamnotquiteabrute。'
　　'Thatwouldbeverynice!'sheanswered，puttingherhandstogetherinagreeableastonishment。'ItisjustwhatIhavewished，thoughIdidnotdreamofsuggestingitafterwhatI
　　haveheardyousay。Iamgoingtostaywithheragainto-
　　morrow，andIwillletherknowaboutthis。'
　　'Don'ttellheranythingplainly，forheaven'ssake。Ireallywanttoseetheinteriorofthecastle；Ihaveneverentereditswallssincemybabyhood。'Heraisedhiseyesashespoketowherethewallsinquestionshowedtheirashlarfacesoverthetrees。
　　'Youmighthavegoneoveritatanytime。'
　　'Oyes。ItisonlyrecentlythatIhavethoughtmuchoftheplace:IfeelnowthatIshouldliketoexaminetheoldbuildingthoroughly，sinceitwasforsomanygenerationsassociatedwithourfortunes，especiallyasmostoftheoldfurnitureisstillthere。Mysedulousavoidancehithertoofallrelatingtoourfamilyvicissitudeshasbeen，Iown，stupidconductforanintelligentbeing；butimpossiblegrapesarealwayssour，andIhaveunconsciouslyadoptedRadicalnotionstoobliteratedisappointedhereditaryinstincts。Butthesehaveatrickofre-establishingthemselvesasonegetsolder，andthecastleandwhatitcontainshaveakeeninterestformenow。'
　　'ItcontainsPaula。'
　　DeStancy'spulse，whichhadbeenbeatinglanguidlyformanyyears，beatdoubleatthesoundofthatname。
　　'Imeantfurnitureandpicturesforthemoment，'hesaid；'butIdon'tmindextendingthemeaningtoher，ifyouwishit。'
　　'Sheistherarestthingthere。'
　　'Soyouhavesaidbefore。'
　　'Thecastleandourfamilyhistoryhaveasmuchromanticinterestforherastheyhaveforyou，'Charlottewenton。
　　'Shedelightsinvisitingourtombsandeffigiesandpondersoverthemforhours。'
　　'Indeed!'saidDeStancy，allowinghissurprisetohidethesatisfactionwhichaccompaniedit。'Thatshouldmakeusfriendly……Doessheseemanypeople?'
　　'Notmanyasyet。Andshecannothavemanystayingthereduringthealterations。'
　　'Ah!yes——thealterations。Didn'tyousaythatshehashadaLondonarchitectstoppingthereonthataccount?Whatwashe——
　　oldoryoung?'
　　'Heisayoungman:hehasbeentoourhouse。Don'tyourememberyoumethimthere?'
　　'Whatwashisname?'
　　'Mr。Somerset。'
　　'O，thatman!Yes，yes，Iremember……Hullo，Lottie!'
　　'What?'
　　'Yourfaceisasredasapeony。NowIknowasecret!'
　　Charlottevainlyendeavouredtohideherconfusion。'Verywell——notaword!Iwon'tsaymore，'continuedDeStancygood-humouredly，'exceptthatheseemstobeaverynicefellow。'
　　DeStancyhadturnedthedialogueontothislittlewell-
　　preservedsecretofhissister'swithsufficientoutwardlightness；butithadbeendoneininstinctiveconcealmentofthedisquietingstartwithwhichhehadrecognizedthatSomerset，Dare'senemy，whomhehadinterceptedinplacingDare'sportraitintothehandsofthechiefconstable，wasamanbelovedbyhissisterCharlotte。Thisnovelcircumstancemightleadtoacuriouscomplication。Buthewastohearmore。
　　'Hemaybeverynice，'repliedCharlotte，withaneffort，afterthissilence。'Butheisnothingtome，morethanaverygoodfriend。'
　　'There'snoengagement，orthoughtofonebetweenyou?'
　　'Certainlythere'snot!'saidCharlotte，withbraveemphasis。
　　'ItismorelikelytobebetweenPaulaandhimthanmeandhim。'
　　DeStancy'sbaremilitaryearsandcloselycroppedpollflushedhot。'MissPowerandhim?'
　　'Idon'tmeantosaythereis，becausePauladeniesit；butI
　　meanthathelovesPaula。ThatIdoknow。'
　　DeStancywasdumb。ThisitemofnewswhichDarehadkeptfromhim，notknowinghowfarDeStancy'ssenseofhonourmightextend，wasdecidedlygrave。Indeed，hewassogreatlyimpressedwiththefact，thathecouldnothelpsayingasmuchaloud:'Thisisveryserious!'
　　'Why!'shemurmuredtremblingly，forthefirstleakingoutofhertenderandswornsecrethaddisabledherquite。
　　'BecauseIlovePaulatoo。'
　　'Whatdoyousay，William，you?——awomanyouhaveneverseen?'
　　'Ihaveseenher——byaccident。Andnow，mydearlittlesis，youwillbemycloseally，won'tyou?asIwillbeyours，asbrotherandsistershouldbe。'HeplacedhisarmcoaxinglyroundCharlotte'sshoulder。
　　'O，William，howcanI?'atlastshestammered。
　　'Why，howcan'tyou，Ishouldsay?Wearebothinthesameship。IlovePaula，youloveMr。Somerset；itbehovesbothofustoseethatthisflirtationoftheirsendsinnothing。'
　　'Idon'tlikeyoutoputitlikethat——thatIlovehim——itfrightensme，'murmuredthegirl，visiblyagitated。'Idon'twanttodividehimfromPaula；Icouldn't，Iwouldn'tdoanythingtoseparatethem。Believeme，Will，Icouldnot!I
　　amsorryyoulovetherealso，thoughIshouldbegladifithappenedinthenaturalorderofeventsthatsheshouldcomeroundtoyou。ButIcannotdoanythingtopartthemandmakeMr。Somersetsuffer。ItwouldbeTOOwrongandblamable。'
　　'Now，yousillyCharlotte，that'sjusthowyouwomenflyoffatatangent。Imeannothingdishonourableintheleast。
　　HaveIeverpromptedyoutodoanythingdishonourable?FairfightingallieswasallIthoughtof。'
　　MissDeStancybreathedmorefreely。'Yes，wewillbethat，ofcourse；wearealwaysthat，William。ButIhopeIcanbeyourally，andbequiteneutral；Iwouldsomuchrather。'
　　'Well，Isupposeitwillnotbeabreachofyourpreciousneutralityifyougetmeinvitedtoseethecastle?'
　　'Ono!'shesaidbrightly；'Idon'tminddoingsuchathingasthat。Whynotcomewithmetomorrow?IwillsayIamgoingtobringyou。Therewillbenotroubleatall。'
　　DeStancyreadilyagreed。Theeffectuponhimoftheinformationnowacquiredwastointensifyhisardourtenfold，thestimulusbeingduetoaperceptionthatSomerset，withalittlemoreknowledge，wouldholdacardwhichcouldbeplayedwithdisastrouseffectagainsthimself——hisrelationshiptoDare。ItsdisclosuretoaladyofsuchPuritanantecedentsasPaula's，wouldprobablymeanherimmediateseverancefromhimselfasanuncleanthing。
　　'IsMissPoweraseverepietist，orprecisian；orissheacompromisinglady?'heaskedabruptly。
　　'Sheissevereanduncompromising——ifyoumeaninherjudgmentsonmorals，'saidCharlotte，notquitehearing。Theremarkwaspeculiarlyapposite，andDeStancywassilent。
　　Hespentsomefollowinghoursinaclosestudyofthecastlehistory，whichtillnowhadunutterablyboredhim。Moreparticularlydidhedwelloverdocumentsandnoteswhichreferredtothepedigreeofhisownfamily。Hewroteoutthenamesofall——andtheyweremany——whohadbeenbornwithinthosedomineeringwallssincetheirfirsterection；ofthoseamongthemwhohadbeenbroughtthitherbymarriagewiththeowner，andofstrangerknightsandgentlemenwhohadenteredthecastlebymarriagewithitsmistress。Herefreshedhismemoryonthestrangelovesandhatesthathadariseninthecourseofthefamilyhistory；onmemorableattacks，andthedatesofthesame，themostmemorableamongthembeingtheoccasiononwhichthepartyrepresentedbyPaulabattereddownthecastlewallsthatshewasnowabouttomend，and，ashehoped，returnintheiroriginalintactshapetothefamilydispossessed，bymarriagewithhimself，itslivingrepresentative。
　　InSirWilliam'svillaweresmallengravingsaftermanyoftheportraitsinthecastlegalleries，someofthemhanginginthedining-roominplainoakandmapleframes，andotherspreservedinportfolios。DeStancyspentmuchofhistimeoverthese，andingettinguptheromancesoftheiroriginals'
　　livesfrommemoirsandotherrecords，allwhichstorieswereasgreatnoveltiestohimastheycouldpossiblybetoanystranger。MostinterestingtohimwasthelifeofanEdwardDeStancy，whohadlivedjustbeforetheCivilWars，andtowhomCaptainDeStancyboreaverytraceablelikeness。Thisancestorhadamoleonhischeek，blackanddistinctasaflyincream；andasinthecaseofthefirstLordAmherst'swart，andBennetEarlofArlington'snose-scar，thepainterhadfaithfullyreproducedthedefectoncanvas。Itsohappenedthatthecaptainhadamole，thoughnotexactlyonthesamespotofhisface；andthismadetheresemblancestillgreater。
　　Hetookinfinitetroublewithhisdressthatday，showinganamountofanxietyonthematterwhichforhimwasquiteabnormal。Atlast，whenfullyequipped，hesetoutwithhissistertomakethecallproposed。Charlottewasratherunhappyatsightofherbrother'searnestattempttomakeanimpressiononPaula；butshecouldsaynothingagainstit，andtheyproceededontheirway。
　　ItwasthedarkestofNovemberweather，whenthedaysaresoshortthatmorningseemstojoinwitheveningwithouttheinterventionofnoon。Theskywaslinedwithlowcloud，withinwhosedensesubstancetempestswereslowlyfermentingforthecomingdays。Evennowawindyturbulencetroubledthehalf-nakedboughs，andalonelyleafwouldoccasionallyspindownwardstorejoinonthegrassthescathedmultitudeofitscomradeswhichhadprecededitinitsfall。Theriverbythepavilion，inthesummersoclearandpurling，nowslidonwardsbrownandthickandsilent，andenlargedtodoublesize。
　　II。
　　MeanwhilePaulawasalone。Ofanyoneelseitwouldhavebeensaidthatshemustbefindingtheafternoonratherdrearyinthequainthallsnotofherforefathers:butofMissPoweritwasunsafetopredicatesosurely。Shewalkedfromroomtoroominablackvelvetdresswhichgavedecisiontoheroutlinewithoutdeprivingitofsoftness。Sheoccasionallyclaspedherhandsbehindherheadandlookedoutofawindow；
　　butshemoreparticularlybentherfootstepsupanddowntheLongGallery，whereshehadcausedalargefireoflogstobekindled，inherendeavourtoextendcheerfulnesssomewhatbeyondtheprecinctsofthesitting-rooms。
　　ThefireglanceduponPaula，andPaulaglanceddownatthefire，andatthegnarledbeechfuel，andatthewood-licewhichranoutfrombeneaththebarktotheextremityofthelogsastheheatapproachedthem。Thelow-downruddylightspreadoverthedarkfloorlikethesettingsunoveramoor，flutteringonthegrotesquecountenancesofthebrightandirons，andtouchingallthefurnitureontheunderside。
　　Shenowandthencrossedtooneofthedeepembrasuresofthewindows，todeciphersomesentencefromalettersheheldinherhand。Thedaylightwouldhavebeenmorethansufficientforanybystandertodiscernthatthecapitalsinthatletterwereofthepeculiarsemi-gothictypeaffectedatthetimebySomersetandotheryoungarchitectsofhisschoolintheirepistolarycorrespondence。Shewasverypossiblythinkingofhim，evenwhennotreadinghisletter，fortheexpressionofsoftnesswithwhichsheperusedthepagewasmoreorlesswithherwhensheappearedtoexamineotherthings。
　　Shewalkedaboutforalittletimelonger，thenputawaytheletter，lookedattheclock，andthencereturnedtothewindows，straininghereyesoverthelandscapewithout，asshemurmured，'IwishCharlottewasnotsolongcoming!'
　　AsCharlottecontinuedtokeepaway，Paulabecamelessreasonableinherdesires，andproceededtowishthatSomersetwouldarrive；thenthatanybodywouldcome；then，walkingtowardstheportraitsonthewall，sheflippantlyaskedoneofthosecavalierstoobligeherfancyforcompanybysteppingdownfromhisframe。Thetemerityoftherequestledhertoprudentlywithdrawitalmostassoonasconceived:oldpaintingshadbeensaidtoplayqueertricksinextremecases，andtheshadowsthisafternoonwerefunerealenoughforanythingintheshapeofrevengeonanintruderwhoembodiedtheantagonisticmodernspirittosuchanextentasshe。
　　However，Paulastillstoodbeforethepicturewhichhadattractedher；andthis，byacoincidencecommonenoughinfact，thoughscarcelycreditedinchronicles，happenedtobethatoneoftheseventeenth-centuryportraitsofwhichDeStancyhadstudiedtheengravedcopyatMyrtleVillathesamemorning。
　　Whilstsheremainedbeforethepicture，wonderingherfavouritewonder，howwouldshefeelifthisanditsaccompanyingcanvaseswerepicturesofherownancestors，shewassurprisedbyalightfootstepuponthecarpetwhichcoveredpartoftheroom，andturningquicklyshebeheldthesmilinglittlefigureofCharlotteDeStancy。
　　'Whathasmadeyousolate?'saidPaula。'Youarecometostay，ofcourse?'
　　Charlottesaidshehadcometostay。'ButIhavebroughtsomebodywithme!'
　　'Ah——whom?'
　　'Mybrotherhappenedtobeathome，andIhavebroughthim。'
　　MissDeStancy'sbrotherhadbeensocontinuouslyabsentfromhomeinIndia，orelsewhere，solittlespokenof，and，whenspokenof，sotrulythoughunconsciouslyrepresentedasonewhoseinterestslaywhollyoutsidethisantiquatedneighbourhood，thattoPaulahehadbeenamerenebulositywhomshehadneverdistinctlyoutlined。Tohavehimthuscohereintosubstanceatamoment'snoticelenthimthenoveltyofanewcreation。
　　'Isheinthedrawing-room?'saidPaulainalowvoice。
　　'No，heishere。Hewouldfollowme。Ihopeyouwillforgivehim。'
　　AndthenPaulasawemergeintotheredbeamsofthedancingfire，frombehindahalf-drawnhangingwhichscreenedthedoor，themilitarygentlemanwhoseacquaintancethereaderhasalreadymade。
　　'Youknowthehouse，doubtless，CaptainDeStancy?'saidPaula，somewhatshyly，whenhehadbeenpresentedtoher。
　　'IhaveneverseentheinsidesinceIwasthreeweeksold，'
　　repliedtheartilleryofficergracefully；'andhencemyrecollectionsofitarenotremarkablydistinct。AyearortwobeforeIwasborntheentailwascutoffbymyfatherandgrandfather；sothatIsawthevenerableplaceonlytoloseit；atleast，Ibelievethat'sthetruthofthecase。Butmyknowledgeofthetransactionisnotprofound，anditisadelicatepointonwhichtoquestionone'sfather。'
　　Paulaassented，andlookedattheinterestingandnoblefigureofthemanwhoseparentshadseeminglyrightedthemselvesattheexpenseofwronginghim。
　　'Thepicturesandfurnitureweresoldaboutthesametime，I
　　think?'saidCharlotte。
　　'Yes，'murmuredDeStancy。'Theywentinamadbargainofmyfatherwithhisvisitor，astheysatovertheirwine。Myfathersatdownashostonthatoccasion，andaroseasguest。'
　　Heseemedtospeakwithsuchacourteousabsenceofregretforthealienation，thatPaula，whowasalwaysfearingthattherecollectionwouldriseasapainfulshadowbetweenherselfandtheDeStancys，feltreassuredbyhismagnanimity。
　　DeStancylookedwithinterestroundthegallery；seeingwhichPaulasaidshewouldhavelightsbroughtinamoment。
　　'No，pleasenot，'saidDeStancy。'Theroomandourselvesareofsomuchmoreinterestingacolourbythislight!'
　　Astheymovedhitherandthither，thevariousexpressionsofDeStancy'sfacemadethemselvespicturesquelyvisibleintheunsteadyshineoftheblaze。Inashorttimehehaddrawnneartothepaintingoftheancestorwhomhesogreatlyresembled。Whenherquickeyenotedthespeckontheface，indicativeofinheritedtraitsstronglypronounced，anewandromanticfeelingthattheDeStancyshadstretchedoutatentaclefromtheirgenealogicaltreetoseizeherbythehandanddrawherintotheirmasstookpossessionofPaula。Ashasbeensaid，theDeStancyswereafamilyonwhomthehall-
　　markofmembershipwasdeeplystamped，andbythepresentlighttherepresentativeundertheportraitandtherepresentativeintheportraitseemedbeingsnotfarremoved。
　　Paulawascontinuallystartingfromareverieandspeakingirrelevantly，asifsuchreflectionsasthoseseizedholdofherinspiteofhernaturalunconcern。
　　WhencandleswerebroughtinCaptainDeStancyardentlycontrivedtomakethepicturesthethemeofconversation。
　　Fromthenearesttheywenttothenext，whereuponPaulaashostesstookuponeofthecandlesticksandhelditalofttolightupthepainting。Thecandlestickbeingtallandheavy，DeStancyrelievedherofit，andtakinganothercandleintheotherhand，heimperceptiblyslidintothepositionofexhibitorratherthanspectator。Thushewalkedinadvanceholdingthetwocandlesonhigh，hisshadowformingagiganticfigureontheneighbouringwall，whileherecitedtheparticularsoffamilyhistorypertainingtoeachportrait，thathehadlearntupwithsucheagerpersistenceduringthepreviousfour-and-twenty-hours。'Ihaveoftenwonderedwhatcouldhavebeenthehistoryofthislady，butnobodyhaseverbeenabletotellme，'Paulaobserved，pointingtoaVandyckwhichrepresentedabeautifulwomanwearingcurlsacrossherforehead，asquare-cutbodice，andaheavypearlnecklaceuponthesmoothexpanseofherneck。
　　'Idon'tthinkanybodyknows，'Charlottesaid。
　　'Oyes，'repliedherbrotherpromptly，seeingwithenthusiasmthatitwasyetanotheropportunityformakingcapitalofhisacquiredknowledge，withwhichhefelthimselfasinconvenientlycrammedasacandidateforagovernmentexamination。'Thatladyhasbeenlargelycelebratedunderafancyname，thoughsheiscomparativelylittleknownbyherown。HerparentswerethechiefornamentsofthealmostirreproachablecourtofCharlestheFirst，andwerenotmoredistinguishedbytheirpolitenessandhonourthanbytheaffectionsandvirtueswhichconstitutethegreatcharmofprivatelife。'
　　Thestockverbiageofthefamilymemoirwassomewhatapparentinthiseffusion；butitmuchimpressedhislisteners；andhewentontopointoutthatfromthelady'snecklacewassuspendedaheart-shapedportrait——thatofthemanwhobrokehisheartbyherpersistentrefusaltoencouragehissuit。DeStancythenledthemalittlefurther，wherehungaportraitofthelover，oneofhisownfamily，whoappearedinfullpanoplyofplatemail，thepommelofhisswordstandingupunderhiselbow。Thegallantcaptainthenrelatedhowthispersonageofhislinewooedtheladyfruitlessly；how，afterhermarriagewithanother，sheandherhusbandvisitedtheparentsofthedisappointedlover，thethenoccupiersofthecastle；how，inafitofdesperationatthesightofher，heretiredtohisroom，wherehecomposedsomepassionateverses，whichhewrotewithhisblood，andafterdirectingthemtoherranhimselfthroughthebodywithhissword。Toolatethelady'sheartwastouchedbyhisdevotion；shewaseverafteramelancholywoman，andworehisportraitdespiteherhusband'sprohibition。'This，'continuedDeStancy，leadingthemthroughthedoorwayintothehallwherethecoatsofmailwerearrangedalongthewall，andstoppingoppositeasuitwhichboresomeresemblancetothatoftheportrait，'thisishisarmour，asyouwillperceivebycomparingitwiththepicture，andthisistheswordwithwhichhedidtherashdeed。'
　　'Whatunreasonabledevotion!'saidPaulapractically。'Itwastooromanticofhim。Shewasnotworthyofsuchasacrifice。'
　　'Healsoisonewhomtheysayyouresemblealittleinfeature，Ithink，'saidCharlotte。
　　'Dothey?'repliedDeStancy。'Iwonderifit'strue。'Hesetdownthecandles，andaskingthegirlstowithdrawforamoment，wasinsidetheupperpartofthesuitofarmourinincrediblyquicktime。Goingthenandplacinghimselfinfrontofalow-hangingpaintingneartheoriginal，soastobeenclosedbytheframewhilecoveringthefigure，arrangingtheswordasintheoneabove，andsettingthelightthatitmightfallintherightdirection，herecalledthem；whenheputthequestion，'Istheresemblancestrong?'
　　Helookedsomuchlikeamanofbygonetimesthatneitherofthemreplied，butremainedcuriouslygazingathim。Hismodernandcomparativelysallowcomplexion，asseenthroughtheopenvisor，lentanetherealidealitytohisappearancewhichthetime-stainedcountenanceoftheoriginalwarriortotallylacked。
　　AtlastPaulaspoke，sostillythatsheseemedastatueenunciating:'Aretheversesknownthathewrotewithhisblood?'
　　'Oyes，theyhavebeencarefullypreserved。'CaptainDeStancy，withtruewooer'sinstinct，hadcommittedsomeofthemtomemorythatmorningfromtheprintedcopytobefoundineverywell-orderedlibrary。'IfearIdon'trememberthemall，'hesaid，'buttheybegininthisway:——
　　"Fromonethatdyethinhisdiscontent，DearFaire，receivethisgreetingtotheesent；
　　Andstillasoftasitisreadbythee，Thenwithsomedeepsadsighremembermee!
　　O'twasmyfortune'serrortovowdutie，Toonethatbearsdefianceinherbeautie!
　　Sweetepoyson，pretiouswooe，infectiousjewell——
　　SuchisaLadiethatisfaireandcruell。
　　HowwellcouldIwithayre，camelion-like，Livehappie，andstillgazeingonthycheeke，Inwhich，forsakenman，methinkIseeHowgoodlielovedoththreatencarestomee。
　　Whydostthoufrownethusonakneelingesoule，Whosefaultsinlovethoumay'staswellcontroule?——
　　Inlove——butO，thatword；thatwordIfeareIshatefulstillbothtothyhartandeare!……
　　Ladie，inbreefe，myfatedothnowintendTheperiodofmydaiestohaveanend:
　　Wastenotonmethypittie，pretiousFaire:
　　Restyouinmuchcontent；I，indespaire!"'
　　Asolemnsilencefollowedthecloseoftherecital，whichDeStancyimprovedbyturningthepointoftheswordtohisbreast，restingthepommeluponthefloor，andsaying:——
　　'Afterwritingthatwemaypicturehimturningthissameswordinthissameway，andfallingonitthus。'Heinclinedhisbodyforwardashespoke。
　　'Don't，CaptainDeStancy，pleasedon't!'criedPaulainvoluntarily。
　　'No，don'tshowusanyfurther，William!'saidhissister。
　　'Itistootragic。'
　　DeStancyputawaythesword，himselfratherexcited——not，however，byhisownrecital，butbythedirectgazeofPaulaathim。
　　ThisProteanqualityofDeStancy's，bymeansofwhichhecouldassumetheshapeandsituationofalmostanyancestoratwill，hadimpressedher，andheperceiveditwithathroboffervour。Butithaddonenomorethanimpressher；forthoughindeliveringthelineshehadsofixedhislookuponherastosuggest，toanymaidenpractisedinthegameoftheeyes，apresentsignificanceinthewords，theideaofanysucharriere-penseehadbynomeanscommendeditselftohersoul。
　　AtthistimeamessengerfromMarktonbarracksarrivedatthecastleandwishedtospeaktoCaptainDeStancyinthehall。
　　Beggingthetwoladiestoexcusehimforamoment，hewentout。
　　WhileDeStancywastalkinginthetwilighttothemessengeratoneendoftheapartment，someotherarrivalwasshowninbythesidedoor，andinmakinghiswayaftertheconferenceacrossthehalltotheroomhehadpreviouslyquitted，DeStancyencounteredthenew-comer。TherewasjustenoughlighttorevealthecountenancetobeDare's；heboreaportfoliounderhisarm，andhadbeguntowearamoustache，incasethechiefconstableshouldmeethimanywhereinhisrambles，andbestruckbyhisresemblancetothemaninthestudio。
　　'Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere?'saidCaptainDeStancy，intoneshehadneverusedbeforetotheyoungman。
　　Darestartedbackinsurprise，andnaturallyso。DeStancy，havingadoptedanewsystemofliving，andrelinquishedthemeagredietandenervatingwatersofhispastyears，wasrapidlyrecoveringtone。Hisvoicewasfirmer，hischeekswerelesspallid；andaboveallhewasauthoritativetowardshispresentcompanion，whoseingenuityinvampingupabeingforhisambitiousexperimentsseemedabouttoberewarded，likeFrankenstein's，byhisdiscomfitureatthehandsofhisowncreature。
　　'Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere，Isay?'repeatedDeStancy。
　　'Youcantalktomelikethat，aftermyworkingsohardtogetyouoninlife，andmakearisingmanofyou!'expostulatedDare，asonewhofelthimselfnolongertheleaderinthisenterprise。
　　'But，'saidthecaptainlessharshly，'ifyouletthemdiscoveranyrelationsbetweenushere，youwillruinthefairestprospectsmaneverhad!'
　　'O，Ilikethat，captain——whenyouoweallofittome!'
　　'That'stoocool，Will。'
　　'No；whatIsayistrue。However，letthatgo。Sonowyouarehereonacall；buthowareyougoingtogethereoftenenoughtowinherbeforetheothermancomesback?Ifyoudon'tseehereveryday——twice，threetimesaday——youwillnotcaptureherinthetime。'
　　'Imustthinkofthat，'saidDeStancy。
　　'Thereisonlyonewayofbeingconstantlyhere:youmustcometocopythepicturesorfurniture，somethinginthewayhedid。'
　　'I'llthinkofit，'mutteredDeStancyhastily，asheheardthevoicesoftheladies，whomhehastenedtojoinastheywereappearingattheotherendoftheroom。Hiscountenancewasgloomyasherecrossedthehall，forDare'swordsontheshortnessofhisopportunitieshadimpressedhim。AlmostatonceheutteredahopetoPaulathathemighthavefurtherchanceofstudying，andifpossibleofcopying，someoftheancestralfaceswithwhichthebuildingabounded。
　　MeanwhileDarehadcomeforwardwithhisportfolio，whichprovedtobefullofphotographs。WhilePaulaandCharlottewereexaminingthemhesaidtoDeStancy，asastranger:
　　'Excusemyinterruption，sir，butifyoushouldthinkofcopyinganyoftheportraits，asyouwerestatingjustnowtotheladies，mypatentphotographicprocessisatyourservice，andis，Ibelieve，theonlyonewhichwouldbeeffectualinthedimindoorlights。'
　　'ItisjustwhatIwasthinkingof，'saidDeStancy，nowsofarcooleddownfromhisirritationastobequitereadytoacceptDare'sadroitlysuggestedscheme。
　　OnapplicationtoPaulasheimmediatelygaveDeStancypermissiontophotographtoanyextent，andtoldDarehemightbringhisinstrumentsassoonasCaptainDeStancyrequiredthem。
　　'Don'tstareatherinsuchabrazenway!'whisperedthelattertotheyoungman，whenPaulahadwithdrawnafewsteps。
　　'Say，"IshallhighlyvaluetheprivilegeofassistingCaptainDeStancyinsuchawork。"'
　　Dareobeyed，andbeforeleavingDeStancyarrangedtobeginperformingonhisveneratedforefathersthenextmorning，theyouthsoaccidentallyengagedagreeingtobethereatthesametimetoassistinthetechnicaloperations。
　　III。
　　Ashehadpromised，DeStancymadeusethenextdayofthecovetedpermissionthathadbeenbroughtaboutbytheingeniousDare。Dare'stimelysuggestionoftenderingassistancehadthepracticalresultofrelievingtheotherofallnecessityforoccupyinghistimewiththeproceeding，furtherthantobestowaperfunctorysuperintendencenowandthen，togiveacolourtohisregularpresenceinthefortress，theactualworkoftakingcopiesbeingcarriedonbytheyoungerman。
　　Theweatherwasfrequentlywetduringtheseoperations，andPaula，MissDeStancy，andherbrother，wereofteninthehousewholemorningstogether。Byconstanturgingandcoaxingthelatterwouldinducehisgentlesister，muchagainstherconscience，toleavehimopportunitiesforspeakingtoPaulaalone。Itwasmostlybeforesomeprintorpaintingthattheseconversationsoccurred，whileDeStancywasostensiblyoccupiedwithitsmerits，oringivingdirectionstohisphotographerhowtoproceed。Assoonasthedialoguebegan，thelatterwouldwithdrawoutofearshot，leavingPaulatoimaginehimthemostdeferentialyoungartistintheworld。
　　'Youwillsoonpossessduplicatesofthewholegallery，'shesaidononeoftheseoccasions，examiningsomecurledsheetswhichDarehadprintedofffromthenegatives。
　　'No，'saidthesoldier。'Ishallnothavepatiencetogoon。
　　Igetill-humouredandindifferent，andthenleaveoff。'
　　'Whyill-humoured?'
　　'Iscarcelyknow——morethanthatIacquireageneralsenseofmyownfamily'swantofmeritthroughseeinghowmeritoriousthepeoplearearoundme。Iseethemhappyandthrivingwithoutanynecessityformeatall；andthenIregardthesecanvasgrandfathersandgrandmothers，andask，"Whywasalinesoantiquatedandoutofdateprolongedtillnow?"'
　　Shechidhimgood-naturedlyforsuchviews。'Theywilldoyouaninjury，'shedeclared。'Dospareyourself，CaptainDeStancy!'
　　DeStancyshookhisheadasheturnedthepaintingbeforehimalittlefurthertothelight。
　　'But，doyouknow，'saidPaula，'thatnotionofyoursofbeingafamilyoutofdateisdelightfultosomepeople。ItalktoCharlotteaboutitoften。Iamneverwearyofexaminingthosecanopiedeffigiesinthechurch，andalmostwishtheywerethoseofmyrelations。'
　　'Iwilltrytoseethingsinthesamelightforyoursake，'
　　saidDeStancyfervently。
　　'Notformysake；foryourownwaswhatImeant，ofcourse，'
　　sherepliedwitharepressiveair。
　　CaptainDeStancybowed。
　　'Whatareyougoingtodowithyourphotographswhenyouhavethem?'sheasked，asifstillanxioustoobliteratetheprevioussentimentallapse。
　　'Ishallputthemintoalargealbum，andcarrythemwithmeinmycampaigns；andmayIask，nowIhaveanopportunity，thatyouwouldextendyourpermissiontocopyalittlefurther，andletmephotographoneotherpaintingthathangsinthecastle，tofittinglycompletemyset?'
　　'Which?'
　　'Thathalf-lengthofaladywhichhangsinthemorning-room。
　　IrememberseeingitintheAcademylastyear。'
　　Paulainvoluntarilyclosedherselfup。Thepicturewasherownportrait。'Itdoesnotbelongtoyourseries，'shesaidsomewhatcoldly。
　　DeStancy'ssecretthoughtwas，Ihopefrommysoulitwillbelongsomeday!Heansweredwithmildness:'Thereisasortofconnection——youaremysister'sfriend。'
　　Paulaassented。
　　'Andhence，mightnotyourfriend'sbrotherphotographyourpicture?'
　　Paulademurred。
　　AgentlesighrosefromthebosomofDeStancy。'Whatistobecomeofme?'hesaid，withalightdistressedlaugh。'Iamalwaysinconsiderateandinclinedtoasktoomuch。Forgiveme!WhatwasinmymindwhenIaskedIdarenotsay。'
　　'Iquiteunderstandyourinterestinyourfamilypictures——andallofit，'sheremarkedmoregently，willingnottohurtthesensitivefeelingsofamansofullofromance。